Campus News

Donna Ricco, known for the smart and stylish dresses she designed and sold under her label, is
returning to her alma mater Mount Mary University for a position that leverages her
industry connections and professional expertise.

Ricco, who graduated from Mount Mary in 1981, will join the University as an Executive
Fellow, University President Christine Pharr, Ph.D., announced during a media conference
on Wednesday.

“Donna Ricco’s dresses have been sold by every major department store and specialty
chain in the country,” Pharr said. “Her name carries national recognition and respect,
a name known for her creative vision and her integrity. We are delighted to welcome
Donna Ricco home to Milwaukee, and Mount Mary University.”

“Her name carries national recognition and respect, her name is known for her creative
vision and integrity. We are delighted to welcome Donna Ricco home to Milwaukee, and
Mount Mary University.”

Christine Pharr, Ph.DMount Mary University President

Ricco has worked in all aspects of fashion, including research, design and presentation,
sales and product development. Her network extends to professional connections in
the fields of design and textiles, merchandising, sales and production.

In 2008, Michelle Obama created a sensation for Donna Ricco dresses while campaigning
for her husband’s first term in office when she wore Donna Ricco dress on an appearance
for the television show The View. As a result, 2,000 of these dresses were sold in
a single day.

Ricco will divide her time between the Mount Mary campus in Milwaukee and her home
base in New York, where she will also work on behalf of the University, expanding
its industry connections.

“Donna became a well-known name because she had the will to carry out her dreams and
creativity,” said Alan Schifman, an executive in the textile industry who designed
and manufactured many of Ricco’s most successful fabrics. “It’s unusual to have a
designer who can integrate her ideas into a business.”

Throughout her career, Ricco has held the enduring belief that “nothing is as effortless
as a dress,” she said. “My goal has been to design dresses that are the most perfect,
most confident choice for a variety of women, wearable dresses that are on trend for
any event, day through dinner.

“Although I’ve retired from the day-to-day design of Donna Ricco dresses, I still
love to follow fashion, both the creative and the business. I’ve been thinking about
how I might put this interest to good use. Because I stay connected to Mount Mary,
I realized I could give back by sharing my interest and experiences, as well as my
vast network of industry professionals.

“My vision is to research these trends and to connect and interact with those individuals
and organizations whose ideas and methods will impact the way we build the fashion
program at Mount Mary.”